1965 Big Block Front Coil Springs

[Greg B.]

I'm trying to determine the physical difference between a '65 small block versus a '65 big block front coil spring. A supplier is telling me that the only difference is that the big block spring has two tighter coils at one end. Can anyone confirm this? Thanks, Greg Barr

[Duke W.]

Re: 1965 Big Block Front Coil Springs

The best and most reliable source for spring data are the AMA specs. Go to www.gmheritage.com Click on recourses and download the '65 Corvette Vehicle Information Package. Thumb through it until you find the spring data. The AMA specs were living documents that were updated during the year as things changed. Some are incomplete, but hopefully the 396 spring data was added and is included in the pdf.

Duke

[Greg B.]

Re: 1965 Big Block Front Coil Springs

Thanks Duke,
I'll check it out.
Greg

[Duke W.]

Re: 1965 Big Block Front Coil Springs

I'll add that if you can't find the big block spring data in the '65 AMA specs it should be in the '66 and/or '67 AMA specs. To the best of my knowledge the base big block front springs were the same from '65 to '67 and all F40/41 springs are the same as '63 Z06.

Duke

[Patrick B.]

Re: 1965 Big Block Front Coil Springs

The 65 front springs were the same part number for big block and small block, 3851100. For 66 and 67, big blocks had different front springs, 3888250. I'm sure the 66-67 spring would be better than fine for a 65 big block.

[Joe L.]

Re: 1965 Big Block Front Coil Springs

The 65 front springs were the same part number for big block and small block, 3851100. For 66 and 67, big blocks had different front springs, 3888250. I'm sure the 66-67 spring would be better than fine for a 65 big block.

Patrick------

Yes, for 1965 the small block and big block coil springs were the same in PRODUCTION. However, GM later issued a service bulletin that advised dealers to replace these with the GM #3888250 for 1965 L-78 with standard suspension if owners complained about low front ride height. I don't believe the 3888250 were ever used for 1965 PRODUCTION, though, so, technically speaking, they would not be "correct" for a 1965 L-78. If it were me, though, that would not stop me from using them.

[Greg B.]

Re: 1965 Big Block Front Coil Springs

Thanks for all the input. Greg